teeth problem

[cottonweb]

My six year old havanese is repeatedly having teeth problem. Every year, after his yearly vaccine, I have to pay at least $200 to get some of his teeth pulled and cleaned. Last time I got six of his teeth pulled. I am worried that sooner or later he will have no teeth at all!! I tried everything but seems like nothing worked. I tried to feed him with science diet for dental purpose, but he wouldn't eat it because it's a big bite. He doesn't like chewing, and seems like brushing his teeth is totally useless. Any suggestion?

[DiegoDog]

You should post this one in health chat. Not that you wont get some posts in here but you'd probably get more in there. Since your Q is more health related.

[Redstorm1721]

Hello Cottonweb,
My dog Buddy had the same problem, and we are going back to get some more out. So far the last trip was 11. Its an awful thing when this has to happen. My dog was abused and his teeth were rotted when we rescued him. Anyway this does happen abused or not. I feed him the little bites mixed with can food. Not all the time because it hurts for him to chew. He is more healthy then with plain old hard food. You can also make foods for him,like rice mixed with hamburge. As long as your dog is getting what he needs out of his food. Brushing is out of the question here. It hurts them and they are in pain. My dog runs like hell when he even smells tooth paste. Maybe if you insist on tooth paste try putting a little on a soft cloth small piece and rub gently on his teeth and gums. You can try it but good luck. Try looking into the childrens tooth paste. I have tried it all and no way here, but maybe your dog is diffrent. he will be okay with out those teeth.LOL I know its not funny, but Buddy has only a very few and he is healthy and strong with out his poor theeth. Good Luck! Gail

[Jenny]

Gail~ where've you been??? Glad you're back! Cottonweb- is the tooth problem caused because of something in the vaccine? Also, what about soft canned diets?

[Redstorm1721]

Hi sweetheart. I have always been here just so busy this season. I hope everyone had a great holiday this year and all is good with all? Thanks I miss you too.

[RWDVM]

Dear Cottonweb:

I am a veterinarian. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to periodontal disease. You are doing the right thing by having yearly dentistries and extractions of diseased teeth. Unfortunately, when teeth are diseased, they have to be removed, or you risk subsequent rotting of the underlying jaw bone (or invasion of the nasal passages if on the top row). Do not worry about all the extractions. Dogs do fine without teeth. Some even continue to eat dry food, believe it or not. In many cases, the quality of life for a dog with genetically bad teeth is better once all the teeth have been extracted. Best of luck to you. Yo're on the right track.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com

[DiegoDog]

can you get false teeth put on dogs?

[cottonweb]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I really appreciate it. I guess this is something that I just have to deal with.

DiegoDog, false teeth sounds a really good idea. Maybe we have to invent it... : )

RWDVM, we are lucky to have you in this forum.

[macassie]

False teeth is a great idea! Why not? After all, they make these:

Doggy Replacement Parts (http://www.neuticles.com/index1.html)

[DaisyJRT]

OH my god LOL!!! That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of!!! Fake balls?? LOL!!!! OH MY GOD!! hehehehehe ....oh let me catch my breath. WHO the heck would pay for that?? OK dogs aren't emotionally attached to their......"baggage". Most puppies are spayed/neutered young....before they know about the wants of breeding. Who in the heck made up ball implants LOL LOL LOL!!!

[DiegoDog]

We were talking about false teeth

[DaisyJRT]

Yeah click that link that someone posted. It's implants for neutered animals. macassie posted the link.

[DaisyJRT]

http://www.neuticles.com/index1.html

[excellrott]

You could fool a judge or maybe just the dog next door. :D

[Top Dog]

Hey, don't laugh!! My Grandfather apparently told my mother when they were talking about going to the moon" ha ha ha that will never happen" unfortunatly he died and guess what they went to the moon!!! Also for fooling the judge well maybe, this is a true story, a german shepherd breeder had a beautiful shepherd puppy, perfect in almost every way but he only had one testical at the age of six months, he entered him in the dog show but had a replacement testical put by a vet but it backfired on him the day of the show the judge said " disqualified this puppy has 3 testicals" the second testical dropped. Anything is possible!!!

[DiegoDog]

Ohhhh. Horrible mental pictures. And my face would be very red if the testicle thing happened to my dog. Although he is three and hasn't had testicles since he was 6 months so I don't think he is gonna grow new ones lol:p

[excellrott]

Thank you for my first laugh of the day!!